Copilot experience Archives

Winsage

September 26, 2026

“We’re building Copilot as a new OS,” says Satya Nadella, even as Microsoft strips it from Windows 11

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a unified Copilot experience that integrates Home, Code, and Autopilot into a single application, transforming the Microsoft 365 suite into a “super app.” Copilot is described as a “new OS for work,” serving as a central hub for productivity across various tasks and devices. The Home section features Chat and Cowork functionalities, while the Office section includes full integration of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The Code feature allows users to create applications using natural language, democratizing app development. Autopilot, previously known as Scout, functions as a virtual colleague that manages tasks and projects. Microsoft has revised its pricing model to include a standard per-user subscription for basic functionalities and a usage-based billing model for advanced features. The announcement on September 25 met the timeline set during the Build 2026 conference, although features are still being rolled out incrementally. The new Copilot experience aims to enhance user interaction with AI without introducing a new operating system.

Winsage

September 24, 2026

The Copilot+ PC brand is dead: Microsoft and PC makers quietly pull back on tarnished Windows 11 AI PC branding

In 2024, Microsoft and Qualcomm launched "Copilot+ PCs" to promote AI-first computing, but faced challenges when security concerns led to the postponement of the key feature, Recall. A Microsoft representative stated that while the latest Surface PCs met Copilot+ specifications, they would not carry the branding. Qualcomm's Kedar Kondap explained that the branding aimed to define devices capable of advanced NPU experiences, but those experiences could still be provided without the Copilot+ label. NVIDIA chose not to associate its RTX Spark platform with Copilot+, indicating a lack of market resonance for the branding. Consequently, both OEMs and Microsoft are moving away from the Copilot+ label, despite maintaining the specification baseline for the experiences.

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft disables Windows 11’s new “Ask Copilot” Taskbar feature to “incorporate feedback” as it pivots to unified Copilot app

Microsoft has updated the Windows 11 Taskbar, integrating Copilot into the search experience. The feature, initially called "Ask Copilot," allows users to interact with Copilot while accessing traditional app and file searches. It has been gradually rolled out in a preview format to select users, primarily in commercial settings using Microsoft 365 Copilot. A consumer version is also in development, but the Ask Copilot feature has been temporarily removed to update the experience based on user feedback. Users will revert to the traditional Windows Search experience automatically during this transition. The Windows Search functionality is being redesigned for improved accuracy and speed. The Ask Copilot search pane includes a chat box for interactions with Copilot and shortcut buttons for Copilot Vision, but the full rollout of Ask Copilot will require further refinement.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Microsoft is ditching the COPILOT function in Excel before it even launches

Microsoft has decided to discontinue the COPILOT function in Excel, which was never widely available and was accessible only to Frontier and Insider users since August 2025. The feature allowed users to interact with spreadsheets using natural language for tasks like summarizing text and categorizing feedback, and it could retrieve information from the web. Users will no longer be able to create new formulas using the COPILOT function after September 14, 2026. While the COPILOT function will be discontinued, similar functionalities will still be available through the Copilot side pane, which supports various AI-driven tasks. Microsoft is shifting towards a more unified Copilot experience within its Microsoft 365 suite, indicating a strategic reassessment of its Copilot offerings.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Classic Outlook bug breaks Copilot, but some might call it an upgrade

Microsoft is facing scrutiny over a bug in build 20026.20182 affecting classic Outlook users with Copilot features, causing the Copilot button to disappear and other functionalities to become inoperable for those with either a Copilot Chat (Basic) license or a paid M365 Copilot (Premium) account. The Copilot icon is missing from its usual locations, and while the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and web experience are functioning, users are advised to switch to Outlook on the web or the new Outlook app for immediate access. Standard troubleshooting methods have not consistently resolved the issue.

Winsage

August 14, 2026

Did the Surface Phone FINALLY leak? The Windows Central Podcast breaks down what we know about the mysterio…

In the latest episode of the Windows Central Podcast, hosts Zac Bowden and Jez Corden discuss several topics related to Microsoft. They explore a 2013 Windows Phone prototype, reflecting on its potential impact had it been released. They examine the new unified Microsoft Copilot experience, noting the removal of certain features and discussing the current state of AI. The hosts also cover the announcement of Xbox backward compatibility for original Xbox and Xbox 360 games on Windows, addressing potential licensing challenges. They provide updates on rumors regarding The Elder Scrolls VI and critique the Halo franchise amid project cancellations. Additionally, they highlight upcoming Xbox console features and improvements in audio for Game DVR captures.

Winsage

August 13, 2026

Microsoft begins unified Copilot app rollout: Reveals major plan to merge Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot across all platforms, along with updated branding

Microsoft is unifying its Copilot applications by merging the consumer and productivity versions into a single app branded as "Copilot." This change aims to simplify user experience and will feature a cohesive design and improved navigation. Certain features will be retired, including: - Group Chat: All threads, messages, and images will not carry forward after August 18, 2026. Users should manually copy or download any content they wish to retain. - Podcasts: The Podcasts feature will be fully retired on August 18, 2026, after which users will be unable to create or access podcasts within Copilot. Individual podcast files can be downloaded before the retirement date. - Deep Research: This feature will be retired for consumer users starting August 18, 2026, although existing content will remain accessible. The unified app will be available for both personal and work/school accounts, with security measures in place to protect organizational data. All existing Copilot data, except for the phased-out features, will transition automatically to the new app. The rollout will begin today in phases, starting with mobile users, followed by updates for Windows and macOS by mid-September. The complete rollout schedule includes: - Mid-August 2026: Global rollout begins for mobile and web apps; early-access opt-in opens for Windows and Mac apps. - Late August 2026: Standard rollout of the URL redirect begins. - Mid-September 2026: Global rollout for Windows and Mac apps commences. - Late September 2026: Deferred rollout of the URL redirect begins for the web app.

Winsage

May 23, 2026

Windows 11 adds policy to remove Copilot app

A new preview build of Windows 11 introduces a Group Policy option titled Remove Microsoft Copilot app, located in User Configuration settings under Administrative Templates and Windows Components. This policy is conditional, applying only when both Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot are present, the Copilot app has not been user-installed, and it has not been launched in the last 28 days. Alternative methods to control the Copilot app include the Intune Settings Catalog entry to turn off Copilot, a registry DWORD at HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsCopilot, and AppLocker packaged-app rules. Community discussions indicate that PowerShell uninstall methods are temporary solutions due to potential reinstallation by subsequent updates.

Winsage

April 5, 2026

New Copilot for Windows 11 includes a full Microsoft Edge package, uses more RAM

A new iteration of Copilot is being released for Windows 11, transitioning from native code (WinUI) to web components and including a full version of Microsoft Edge. The update replaces the previous native app and is available for download through the Microsoft Store, which now requires an installer similar to the Microsoft Edge installer. The new Copilot resembles the web version and has higher RAM usage, consuming up to 500MB in the background and nearly 1GB during use, compared to less than 100MB for the previous version. The new Copilot is a hybrid web application that operates with a rebranded instance of Edge within a WebView2 container, including a complete Microsoft Edge installation that occupies approximately 850 MB. It contains the msedge.dll file, confirming the presence of a full Chromium browser engine, and includes Edge subsystems like Browser Helper Objects and Trust Protection Lists. The Copilot app functions as a web app rendered via WebView2, raising questions about the necessity of such applications on Windows 11 given the existing alternatives.

Winsage

March 5, 2026

Copilot App on Windows: Opening web links alongside your conversations begins rolling out to Windows Insiders

Microsoft has introduced significant enhancements to the Copilot App on Windows, allowing users to open links in a sidepane next to their ongoing conversation. With user consent, Copilot can access the context of opened tabs, enabling users to ask questions, summarize information, and receive assistance with tasks. Opened tabs will be saved alongside conversations, and there is an option to sync passwords and form data. The update improves speed and reliability and includes features like Podcasts and Study and Learn mode. The rollout of these updates for Copilot app version 146.0.3856.39 and higher is currently underway across all Insider Channels, with availability varying as it expands globally.